Free of charge

Mustard seeds: EU reduces imports from Russia by 90%

November 28, 2024 at 4:14 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

OTTAWA/MOSCOW. Canada's mustard seed forecasts for the 2024/2025 season remain unchanged from last month's estimates, with shipments to the EU up nearly 17% since then.

Canada's estimates remain unchanged

Things will be a little quieter in the Canadian mustard seed market at the end of the year. As the experts at Rayglen Commodities report, there is hardly any demand; only brown mustard seeds are requested comparatively frequently, although prices remain unchanged at CAD 0.31-0.32/lb. Golden mustard seeds, meanwhile, are offered at CAD 0.41-0.43/lb. While the processing industry stays in spot business, growers are already preparing for the coming sowing and are gradually stocking up on seeds.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's November report maintains previous seasonal estimates. Yields can still be expected to increase by 30.9% to 0.89 mt/ha compared to last year, which means that mustard seed production will increase by 23.4% to 211,000 mt year-on-year despite smaller acreages (-5.6% to 237,000 ha). Thanks to the carry-over stocks from last year, a total of 308,000 mt of mustard seeds would be available on the Canadian market this season.

Mustard seeds, Canada

2022/23

2023/24

Diff.

2023/24

2024/25

Diff.

Area sown (ha)

225,000

258,000

14.7%

258,000

245,000

-5.0%

Area harvested (ha)

219,000

251,000

14.6%

251,000

237,000

-5.6%

Yield (mt/ha)

0.74

0.68

-8.1%

0.68

0.89

30.9%

Production (mt)

162,000

171,000

5.6%

171,000

211,000

23.4%

Imports (mt)

11,000

16,000

45.5%

16,000

9,000

-43.8%

Total supplies (mt)

189,000

226,000

19.6%

226,000

308,000

36.3%

Exports (mt)

110,000

96,000

-12.7%

96,000

110,000

14.6%

Domestic consumption (mt)

40,000

42,000

5.0%

42,000

43,000

2.4%

Carry-over stocks (mt)

40,000

88,000

120.0%

88,000

155,000

76.1%

Avg price in CAD/mt

2,140

1,280

-40.2%

1,280

830

-35.2%

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

EU imports down by 23%

In the first five months of the 2024/2025 season (1 July – 27 November 2024), a total of 29,523 mt of mustard seeds were imported into the EU from third countries, meaning that imports fell by 23% year-on-year. This is due, among other things, to the fact that imports from Russia (-89.8% to 2,307 mt) fell significantly. Since 1 July, higher import duties have been imposed on imports from Russia into the EU, which are expected to double again to 20% from January. In contrast, imports from countries such as Ukraine (+129% to 12,235 mt), Canada (+16.7% to 10,502 mt) and Kazakhstan (+572.3% to 3,684 mt) increased significantly. The main importers in the EU were Germany (-28.9% to 8,970 mt), Poland (-52.3% to 6,610 mt) and Belgium (-26.4% to 4,830 mt).

The prices for mustard seeds, Sinapis Alba, 99.95% purity with Eastern European origin are currently at a level of EUR 750-800/mt DDP Germany. In preparation for the tariff increase in the New Year, some buyers are stocking up on goods as a precaution.

EU mustard seed imports, in mt

Supplier

2023

2024

Diff.

Ukraine

5,343

12,235

129.0%

Canada

9,001

10,502

16.7%

Kazakhstan

548

3,684

572.3%

Russia

22,657

2,307

-89.8%

Moldova

143

576

302.8%

Others

654

219

-66.5%

Total

38,346

29,523

-23.0%

DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-27/11

12075090 Mustard seeds, whether or not broken (excl. for sowing)

View more
price charts on oilseeds, grains, nuts, dried fruit, spices and more

 

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Grains
Feb 20, 2026
BRUSSELS. Morocco will buy less wheat in Europe next season. US farmers will sow less corn. Speculations prevail as to when China will buy more US soybeans. China has also extended the canola anti-dumping investigation against Canada.
Oilseeds
Feb 19, 2026
ASTANA/BRUSSELS. Despite record crops in Kazakhstan, prices have recently increased again. EU countries imported around 10% more flaxseed from third countries this season than in the previous year.
Oilseeds
Feb 19, 2026
ASUNCIÓN/NEW DELHI. Higher yields and competitive prices enabled sesame seed exporters from Paraguay to increase their exports by 50%. Prices on the Indian market rose slightly in expectation of a new sesame seed tender.
Oilseeds
Feb 18, 2026
SOFIA/BUENOS AIRES. Good crops in Argentina are expected to partially offset the deficit in the European sunflower seed market. In 2026, the South American country is expected to once again produce well over 5 million mt of sunflower seeds.